I've done a big research lately, about the options one have, when trying to collect virtual instruments for a full big band.
I've found that collecting virtual instruments for Big Band mock ups, is extremely expensive compared to any other music genre.
There is no affordable comprehensive instruments bundle, something like Hollywoord Orchestra but for big band music.
You have to rely on instruments from a few different brands.
For examples:
If I'm buying Broadway Big Band, which is extremely expensive on its own, I don't even get bass tromebone, which is a standard in any big band set up.
I also don't get essential instruments like tuba, flute and vibraphone.
But I do get some esoterics instruments like banjo and ukulele.
Or look on the Sample Modelling The Trumpet, you get only 3 trumpets, when 4 trumpets is the standard for a big band trumpets section.
What is the reason there is relatively so few options in the big band VI area?
Is it because this music isn't very common nowadays in films, TV, games, etc...?
If so, I would say this music is still appeared in projects from time to time, even though it is marginal part of the industry.
So what do you do if the director suddenly ask you to bring a jazzy sound for a small part of the project?
You just go wasting 3,000$ for big band VIs collection?
You just settle on a smaller jazz ensemble? Small jazz ensembles wouldn't be very expensive, it could be a good compromise if it's sufficient in most cases.
I now just collecting instruments for any case, aiming to have a comprehensive set of sounds, a bit of everything - orchestral, electronic, pop\rock, ethnic, jazz\big band, etc, to be prepared for any work I might encounter.
So what the thing with Big Band Libraries?
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- KVRian
- 1116 posts since 6 Jul, 2009
You might want to take a look at the EastWest Composers Cloud: http://www.soundsonline.com/composercloud
Rather than having to buy a sample library, you can do a subscription for as long as you need for a given project, then cancel when you're done. Perhaps that will cover your needs, rather than shelling out for rarely-used libraries.
The other thing would be to ask the director if it's necessary and maybe suggest a creative alternative -- or a bigger budget. Somehow saying "I'd have to charge more for that" tends to make people open to alternatives...
Rather than having to buy a sample library, you can do a subscription for as long as you need for a given project, then cancel when you're done. Perhaps that will cover your needs, rather than shelling out for rarely-used libraries.
The other thing would be to ask the director if it's necessary and maybe suggest a creative alternative -- or a bigger budget. Somehow saying "I'd have to charge more for that" tends to make people open to alternatives...
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- KVRAF
- 26033 posts since 20 Oct, 2007 from gonesville
Well, I didn't spend $3k...
I bought: http://www.warpivmusic.com/Bundles.html
The Hollywood Studio Brass and Woodwind collection.
I bought it before Legendary Trombone was released and I think I got a break on that.
This bundle is $1299. soprano, alto, tenor, bari sax; clarinet; flute; all kind of trumpet incl piccolo and flugelhorn; trombone and bass trombone. There are a lot of gestures, and for this kind of approach this covers a LOT of ground. I absolutely require *convincing* insts. There's useful legato patches too of course, sustain. The sound is right for all of it. For your trumpets there are trumpet section patches. Kontakt. (I've used the trombone section frequently; it has the kind of reinforcement/cancellation of phase which occurs naturally for a good spread effect)
I still have Samplemodeling's Mr T tenor. I've used it alongside the one here. Somewhat different sounding but compatible. I can recommend WarpIV without equivocation.
He's coming out with an update, which will be fairly innovative in terms of control of release characteristics, super-realistic <playable> instruments. This is pretty conducive to professional workflow for an older library IME.
I bought: http://www.warpivmusic.com/Bundles.html
The Hollywood Studio Brass and Woodwind collection.
I bought it before Legendary Trombone was released and I think I got a break on that.
This bundle is $1299. soprano, alto, tenor, bari sax; clarinet; flute; all kind of trumpet incl piccolo and flugelhorn; trombone and bass trombone. There are a lot of gestures, and for this kind of approach this covers a LOT of ground. I absolutely require *convincing* insts. There's useful legato patches too of course, sustain. The sound is right for all of it. For your trumpets there are trumpet section patches. Kontakt. (I've used the trombone section frequently; it has the kind of reinforcement/cancellation of phase which occurs naturally for a good spread effect)
I still have Samplemodeling's Mr T tenor. I've used it alongside the one here. Somewhat different sounding but compatible. I can recommend WarpIV without equivocation.
He's coming out with an update, which will be fairly innovative in terms of control of release characteristics, super-realistic <playable> instruments. This is pretty conducive to professional workflow for an older library IME.
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- KVRian
- 1367 posts since 30 Jul, 2013
I'm loving Swing More from Project Sam. Not sure the current price, but was $350 from JRRShop.
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- KVRAF
- 2108 posts since 31 Dec, 2002 from London, UK
Another option is 'Horns compact' from Chris Hein at $199.
http://www.chrishein.net/web/CHH-C_Overview.html
http://www.chrishein.net/web/CHH-C_Overview.html
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- KVRAF
- 26033 posts since 20 Oct, 2007 from gonesville
That's a great deal.
It's a very classical musician's approach to brass and winds (and I mean the embouchure, the energy). Despite the marketing inclusiveness, it's _not_ that sound. Note 'Cimbasso' and 'Alphorn' there...
It's a very classical musician's approach to brass and winds (and I mean the embouchure, the energy). Despite the marketing inclusiveness, it's _not_ that sound. Note 'Cimbasso' and 'Alphorn' there...
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- KVRian
- 716 posts since 20 Apr, 2017
You know before we had sample libraries for everything, there were people we'd hire to play the instruments in real life. Just sayin. It's not always the best choice to do it all yourself.hag01 wrote: So what do you do if the director suddenly ask you to bring a jazzy sound for a small part of the project?
You just go wasting 3,000$ for big band VIs collection?
You just settle on a smaller jazz ensemble? Small jazz ensembles wouldn't be very expensive, it could be a good compromise if it's sufficient in most cases.
I now just collecting instruments for any case, aiming to have a comprehensive set of sounds, a bit of everything - orchestral, electronic, pop\rock, ethnic, jazz\big band, etc, to be prepared for any work I might encounter.